Author Topic: Who was the First President of the United States?  (Read 2221 times)

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Offline oldcoastie6468

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Who was the First President of the United States?
« on: March 04, 2014, 10:30:03 AM »
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WHO WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?

I'm sure that George Washington was your best guess. After all, no one else comes to mind.

But think back to your history books — The United States declared its independence in 1776, yet Washington did not take office until April 30, 1789.

So who was running the country during these initial years of this young country?

It was the first eight U.S.  Presidents.

In fact, the first President of the United States was one John Hanson.

I can hear you now — John who?

John Hanson, the first President of the United States.

{snip}

The Articles of Confederation only allowed a President to serve a one year term during any three year period, so Hanson actually accomplished quite a bit in such little time.

Seven other presidents were elected after him — Elias Boudinot (1782-83), Thomas Mifflin (1783-84), Richard Henry Lee (1784-85), John Hancock (1785-86), Nathan Gorman (1786-87), Arthur St. Clair (1787-88), and Cyrus Griffin (1788-89) — all prior to Washington taking office

So what happened?

Why don't we hear about the first eight presidents?

It's quite simple — The Articles of Confederation didn't work well. The individual states had too much power and nothing could be agreed upon. A new doctrine needed to be written — something we know as the Constitution.

And that leads us to the end of our story.

George Washington was definitely not the first President of the United States. He was the first President of the United States under the Constitution we follow today.

And the first eight Presidents are forgotten in history.


http://www.constitution.org/hist/first8pres.htm
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Offline Libertas

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Re: Who was the First President of the United States?
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2014, 10:49:54 AM »
And of those perhaps only Hancock and Lee are known people to most followers of history, and Mifflin for some...the rest are definitely obscure names.
We are now where The Founders were when they faced despotism.

Offline Weisshaupt

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Re: Who was the First President of the United States?
« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2014, 11:48:23 AM »
Those are Presidents that had the title " President of the Congress of the Confederation"  or alternatively "The president of the United States in Congress Assembled."

He was elected by the delegates of the congress, to preside over the meetings of congress. There was no salary, and a largely ceremonial title. Its about as much fun and useful as being the Vice President and moderating the senate.

I think it would be a intellectually dishonest to  suggest these were the first Presidents of the United States. 

Offline Dan

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Re: Who was the First President of the United States?
« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2014, 01:09:21 PM »
I agree with weisshaupt. I don't believe these 8 men, important though they were, would earn the title.
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Offline oldcoastie6468

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Re: Who was the First President of the United States?
« Reply #4 on: March 04, 2014, 03:25:39 PM »
Those are Presidents that had the title " President of the Congress of the Confederation"  or alternatively "The president of the United States in Congress Assembled."

He was elected by the delegates of the congress, to preside over the meetings of congress. There was no salary, and a largely ceremonial title. Its about as much fun and useful as being the Vice President and moderating the senate.

I think it would be a intellectually dishonest to  suggest these were the first Presidents of the United States.

Don't kill the messenger. I just posted what's on a site.
U.S. Coast Guard veteran, 1964-1968

Will Rogers never met Barack Obama. He would not like Obama.

I hate liberals. Liberalism is a disease that causes severe brain damage after it tries to suck knowledge and history out of yours.

Offline rustybayonet

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Re: Who was the First President of the United States?
« Reply #5 on: March 04, 2014, 04:14:28 PM »
New  site of early Continental Congress.  Just saw this site after getting home from work - can I 'play' also ?

Where is the first National Veterans Cemetery for the Unknown Soldier ?
All gave some -- Some gave all    Humbled to be one of the 33 original members of the Coast Guard Honor Guard, started in 1962.
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Online Pandora

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Re: Who was the First President of the United States?
« Reply #6 on: March 04, 2014, 05:35:39 PM »
Those are Presidents that had the title " President of the Congress of the Confederation"  or alternatively "The president of the United States in Congress Assembled."

He was elected by the delegates of the congress, to preside over the meetings of congress. There was no salary, and a largely ceremonial title. Its about as much fun and useful as being the Vice President and moderating the senate.

I think it would be a intellectually dishonest to  suggest these were the first Presidents of the United States.

Don't kill the messenger. I just posted what's on a site.

No worries; nobody's killin' nobody 'round these parts.   ::victory::
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Offline Libertas

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Re: Who was the First President of the United States?
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2014, 06:36:06 AM »
New  site of early Continental Congress.  Just saw this site after getting home from work - can I 'play' also ?

Where is the first National Veterans Cemetery for the Unknown Soldier ?

I'm sensing some insider knowledge here.   ;D

Has to be a famous battle, right? And since Arlington wasn't taken from the Lee estate until the Civil War I am guessing the first such cemetary predates that.  I'm going to say Philadelphia but I am not sure exactly where or why.  Well, OK the latter is it was where Congress was seated, there were skirmishes on the outskirts and Valley Forge is nearby...

Am I warm?
We are now where The Founders were when they faced despotism.

Offline rustybayonet

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Re: Who was the First President of the United States?
« Reply #8 on: March 05, 2014, 03:54:03 PM »
New  site of early Continental Congress.  Just saw this site after getting home from work - can I 'play' also ?

Where is the first National Veterans Cemetery for the Unknown Soldier ?

I'm sensing some insider knowledge here.   ;D

Has to be a famous battle, right? And since Arlington wasn't taken from the Lee estate until the Civil War I am guessing the first such cemetary predates that.  I'm going to say Philadelphia but I am not sure exactly where or why.  Well, OK the latter is it was where Congress was seated, there were skirmishes on the outskirts and Valley Forge is nearby...

Am I warm?

More than warm; A 1st Unknown Soldier off the cuff ATTABOY goes to Libertas -- Philidelphia was the first Veterans Cemetery for the Unknown Soldier.


« Last Edit: March 05, 2014, 03:59:50 PM by rustybayonet »
All gave some -- Some gave all    Humbled to be one of the 33 original members of the Coast Guard Honor Guard, started in 1962.
 Today is the Tomorrow, we worried about Yesterday

Offline Libertas

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Re: Who was the First President of the United States?
« Reply #9 on: March 06, 2014, 06:45:33 AM »
Ahh, Adam's and Potter's Field!  That had to have been what was tickling my brain!  I must have come across that in my many readings and it gave me the inkling for the place, I just forgot the details!

I liked that one, challenging and interesting history!   ::thumbsup::
We are now where The Founders were when they faced despotism.